Resume/Interview question

What do you say during an interview if you have gaps inbetween employment history?  For example, I graduated from college 6 years ago, got a job and quit after two years to go to a new job.  It turned out to be absolutely positively terrible, so I quit after 2 months....and started working part-time at a boutique at mall.  That lasted a few months & then I got a full-time job at the company where I've been for the past 3 years.  Soooo, what can I say to explain the gap inbetween jobs?  Obviously, I'm not going to mention anything about the place where I lasted only 2 months and I don't think the part-time job is very relevant either.  (I don't even remember who my manager was at that place). 

I'm sure everyone has a job or two that they didn't stick with long-term, but how do you explain the gap in employment history?  Although...nowadays it's pretty common with people getting laid-off due to the economy.  (Can I say I was pregnant, got married, had to take care of my ill grandmother or anything of that nature?).

Any advice would be welcome!

do no lie and do not leave out information if you are asked.  you could say-- i left for a better opportunity which unfortunately was not the career step that i hoped to take.  while i worked on find a job that would lead me in the right direction, i worked part time at ________, which helped me hone my customer service skills and working with _______________ helped with my __________ skills.

be honest, be clear, be brief.

Drea99-Excellent response! I truly believe that honesty IS the best policy.

When I lost my license some time ago I thought that it would hurt any gainful opportunities for employment that I'd have.  I had a full year gap between jobs.

But when I offered the information during the interview, the prospective employer was very pleased that I was honest with him. I ended up getting the job, and when I got my license back a month later, I was able to run errands for the law firm. It turned out to be a fantastic job and I never had to "hide" anything about myself or lie to cover a previous lie.

I wish you the best of luck!

ah, that sounds good.  That way I won't have to include the job I quit after just two months on my resume & application, but I can keep the info about the part-time job. 

i've had the same thing happen to me since undergrad - i just tell people i spent time traveling and visiting friends/family throughout the U.S. lol..

but the honesty as a best policy is probably the better advice

i just put the year on my jobs, never the months unless they ask me.

I say I was travelling :) But make sure you say you went somewhere you've actually been (just not at that time) because they WILL ask you detailled questions!

True, it will not be a good start. Besides most hiring managers already know all kinds of excuses, might as well tell the truth, we all have a good reason and this things happen to all of us. And when you could, using years sound good in your resume template too.

BE HONEST! Don't lie. Just say that you made a mistake quitting your first job for the one "that wasn't a good fit" and explain what you learned about the situation. Be positive. It's a good sign that you have been with your most recent place of employment for 3 years. Focus on the good, not the bad and be honest. (I'm a recruiter)

i agree with being honest, and also, showing that you took a risk (quitting a job for what you hoped was a better opportunity) and you made steps to fix it when it turned bad.  everyone knows what it's like to have a bad job, and showing that you made the right steps to find a better situation is the sign of a go-getter. 

You otherwise have very long stretches at other jobs which is good.  just don't bash your former employer if they end up asking why you left.  just say it wasn't the right fit/didn't fall in line with your career ambitions ;)

good luckkkk!  i hope i get an interview soon lol